TV star caught in drug raid
Mark Buttler
chief police reporter
26 Mar 2005
ONE of the biggest names in Australian television has become entangled in a police drug swoop on a swank Melbourne apartment.
The actor - a favourite of thousands of Australians - is believed to have been trying to buy drugs when he arrived at the apartment where police seized amphetamines, steroids, $22,000 cash and a loaded pistol.
The Herald Sun believes the actor turned up at the Docklands apartment and buzzed the intercom on Thursday afternoon not knowing a police operation was in progress upstairs.
The police opened the downstairs door and told the Melbourne-based actor, a familiar face on television for two decades, to head up to the apartment.
A plainclothes officer answered the front door and let him in.
It is believed the actor, unaware the householder was under arrest, then indicated he was visiting to buy drugs.
The actor was embarrassed soon after to find those in the room, apart from the occupant of the apartment, were police.
The performer was allowed to leave and is not expected to be charged.
The actor told the Herald Sun yesterday he knew nothing about the matter. "I don't know anything about that, nothing at all," he said.
Police have charged a man who lives at the apartment with possessing and trafficking amphetamines and possession of steroids.
He also faces a firearms charge after a loaded .22 calibre pistol was uncovered, along with $22,000 cash.
Police found 56g of amphetamines and drug testing and weighing equipment during the raid.
The charged man, 29, has been remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Another man, 24, was also arrested after a struggle when he arrived at the apartment.
He is expected to be charged on summons with possessing the proceeds of crime, assaulting police and resisting arrest.
The system is fucked, tear it down!